Between January 17 and February 28, 1991, an international military coalition sanctioned by the United Nations and led by the United States defeated a large, well-equipped Iraqi army and forced it to withdraw from occupied Kuwait. The first major military action after the end of the Cold War, the Persian Gulf War is seen as the precursor of a new military doctrine; ground troops from 19 countries around the globe participated in the operation.

This is a comprehensive reference work to the people, places, events, weapons, operations, and other matters in the Persian Gulf War. A chronology is also provided, covering the major events from 1958 through 1991 that led to the rise of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, his invasion of Kuwait, and the rousting of Iraqi forces from that country.